I fully accept that there are challenges for organic producers and processors.  But I am equally confident that the domestic and export opportunities that exist will provide ample reward for all the hard work, time and effort.  My primary objective now is to encourage farmers to take advantage of these domestic and export opportunities and, by doing so, to maximise their potential income.

I was delighted to open last Sunday’s Portumna Forest Picnic and commend ICSA, IOFGA and Slow Food for organising, it was a great showcase for Irish organic produce, and I find it encouraging that ICSA, as one of the main farming organisations, takes such an enlightened and forward-looking approach to organics.  In spite of the recession, Irish consumers have demonstrated their continued interest in buying organic produce.  The latest figures show that the organic food market in Ireland is worth €95 million — up from €66 million in 2006.
 
Wide as today’s agenda is, a one-day conference cannot cover everything.  So I want to take this opportunity to draw attention to one point that might otherwise be overlooked.  Bord Bia’s research a few years ago found that in some categories of organic food, particularly fresh produce, up to 75% is imported.  So there is plenty of scope for Irish producers of organic vegetables, fruit and cereals to replace imports with what they grow themselves.

Ireland is self-sufficient in the production of organic red meat for the home market.  But we know that there is scope for a big increase in exports.  Our main processors tell us that they cannot even meet the existing demand, particularly for beef, from countries like Germany, where the organic market has continued to grow despite recession and is now valued at €5.85 bn and the United Kingdom with an organic market worth st£1.85 bn.  In the conventional sector, we export 90% of the beef we produce.  In the organic sector, clearly, there is much the same scope for exporting a multiple of what we consume at home. The challenge is to increase the scale and regularity of supply from producers here at home.   

One obstacle to the expansion of the livestock sector is an under-supply of organic cereals.  There is a real opportunity here for tillage and beef farmers to work together in partnership to capture this market and reap the lucrative rewards of the demand, which exists both at home and abroad for Irish organic beef. 

The demand for Irish organic lamb on the export market is also strong.  The difficulty again is finding enough of it and ensuring a regular supply.  There are big export opportunities too for value-added products. 

There is a scarcity of organic milk as well, even to supply the home market.  The Irish dairying sector is renowned for its efficiency and forward thinking.  I believe that it can only be a matter of time before our dairy farmers see the opportunity that the organic sector offers, and seize it. 

In addition, public procurement schemes have boosted organic consumption in other EU countries. The renewed Programme for Government commits to giving greater weight to organic food produce under new National Green Public Procurement Action Plan that is being developed at present. My officials in the Department of the Environment have just conducted a public consultation as part of this process and this new green public procurement plan will offer more domestic opportunities for organic producers in the years ahead. It is hoped that this Action Plan will come into operation by the end of the year. The Government’s recognition of the potential of the Organic Sector is reflected in the Food Harvest 2020 Report, which maps out policy for the next ten years.  Within this report, the most compelling picture that emerges of the decade ahead is one of opportunity.  This report highlights the opportunity for the Irish agri-food industry to grow and prosper sustainably through the delivery of high-quality, safe and naturally based produce.

To achieve growth, the key strategy of the Food Harvest 2020 Report involves prioritisation of environmental protection, capitalising on our natural advantages and resources, conserving biodiversity and aligning sustainability across the food chain.  The Irish organic sector is a forerunner in this regard and is therefore in a prime position to achieve further growth in the years ahead.   

As part of the Food Harvest 2020 implementation process, I will be exploring further initiatives to develop the sector and build on the already substantial incentives that there are to attract new organic producers.  I would like to assure you at this point that I will do my utmost as Minister with responsibility for the Organic Sector, in line with the commitment in the Renewed Programme for Government, to ensure that our budgets are maintained as far as possible into the future.

From a broader perspective, organic farming has a major role to play in meeting the ever-increasing challenges of depleting oil supplies, climate change and the provision of a sustainable supply of food.  As we become more aware of the negative impact of climate change, it becomes increasingly important that we consider how all aspects of our activities affect our environment.  The carbon footprint of the food we eat, that is the amount of fossil fuel used in getting the food to our table, is something that we are going to become more aware of, and something that I believe consumers will increasingly factor in to their weekly shop.

In the longer term, because organic production is less dependent on fossil fuel imports it is quite likely that it will become ever more cost-competitive.  As a result, I believe that both certified organic production and organic production methods will become increasingly the norm.

Today therefore I urge not only existing organic producers and processors, but also those who may be considering the organic option for the first time, to grasp the opportunities that exist and to recognise the real potential of organic farming to provide themselves and their families with a sustainable income and a promising future.

Last week I met Professor Boyle and our discussion covered a range of topics, but I took the opportunity to express my gratitude to Teagasc for the commitment the organisation has shown to the development of the organic sector in Ireland.  I want to take this opportunity to repeat that publicly.  Teagasc is – rightly – held in the highest regard by Irish farmers.  They will inevitably be influenced and encouraged by the fact that Teagasc, by its actions, shows that it regards organic farming as part of mainstream Irish agriculture.